Rental locker system

ABSTRACT

In a rental locker system of the type rendered lockable with a key by dropping a required number of coins into a coin inlet and later unlockable with the same key; improvement comprising a mechanism causing impossibility of locking operation until coins of a required number are completely dropped into a coin inlet, an indication means adapted to shift indication marks to a mark corresponding to a required number of coins in response to dropping of the coins, and another mechanism including a timer means and adapted, in response to operation of said timer means, to cause impossibility of unlocking and shifting of the indication mark to a mark corresponding to more required number of coins in the case when a predetermined unit length of time corresponding to one rental unit has lapsed. Means adapted to exchange number of coins required for locker use-unit is described in connection with embodiments thereof.

I United States Patent [191 Yorisue et al.

Nov. 4, 1975 RENTAL LOCKER SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Kazumi Yorisue; Mitsuhiro Akamatsu, both of Himeji, Japan [73] Assignee: Glory Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha,

Japan [22] Filed: Dec. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 422,081

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 197,068, Nov. 9, l97l,

abandoned.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 10, 1970 Japan 45-98903 [52] US. Cl. 194/9 T; 194/5] [51] Int. Cl. 17/12 [58] Field of Search 19419 T, 51, 54, 59, 65,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,965,210 12/1960 Stackhouse 194/9 T 2,991,866 7/1961 James 3,460,662 8/1969 Kinoshita 194/51 Primary ExaminerRobert B, Reeves Assistant ExaminerThoma 's Kocovsky Attorney, Agent, or Firml-'lolman & Stern [57] ABSTRACT In a rental locker system of the type rendered lockable with a key by dropping a required number of coins into a coin inlet and later unlockable with the same key; improvement comprising a mechanism causing impossibility of locking operation until coins of a required number are completely dropped into a coin inlet, an indication means adapted to shift indication marks to a mark corresponding to a required number of coins in response to dropping of the coins, and another mechanism including a timer means and adapted, in response to operation of said timer means, to cause impossibility of unlocking and shifting of the indication mark to a mark corresponding to more required number of coins in the case when a predetermined unit length of time corresponding to one rental unit has lapsed. Means adapted to exchange number of coins required for locker use-unit is described in connection with embodiments thereof.

3 Claims, 8 Figures US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 1 of 5 3,917,046

FIG.

1N VENTOR ATTORNEY U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 3 of5 3,917,046

FIG. 4

INVENTOR ATTORNEY U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 4 of5 3,917,046

INVENTOR ATTORNEY US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 5-of5 3,917,046

FIG.?

I F l G 8 SW C NC NO NC C i NEW? NO i C SW2 ipwJ INCONO 0| Ml M2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY RENTAL LOCKER SYSTEM This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 197,068, filed Nov. 9, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to lockers, and in particular to a coin-operated rental locker system.

In most locker units available heretofore, several compartments for individual storage use in each unit have been rented at a uniform fee, that is, by the same number of coins. Recently, however, there has been developed a locker unit having compartments of different capacities, with different fees charged for their use.

Further, when a locker compartment has been used in excess of a predetermined length of time, it has been usual that the compartment is automatically made openable only when an additionally required number of coins have been dropped into its coin inlet. When the rental fee for the unit length of time is high, a'large number of coins of the same denomination are usually required to unlock the compartment, especially when it has been used in excess of the unit length of time. The possible confusion which may be experienced by the user in such an instance mentioned above will be greatly relieved if the additonally required number of coins isclearly exhibited on the compartment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a rental locker system whereby the number of coins required for use per unit length of time are exhibited on respective compartments of the locker unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rental locker system whereby the numerals exhibited on the respective compartments of the locker unit and adapted to indicate the numbers of coins required for their use are correspondingly decreased as the required coins are successively dropped into the coin inlets, the compartments being locked or unlocked only when all the coins corresponding to the required number have been dropped.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rental locker system whereby the number of coins required for use of each compartment is automatically reexhibited. when the compartment has been unlocked after use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rental locker system whereby, when each compartment of the locker unit has been used in excess of a unit length of time, an additional number of coins required for unlocking the compartment is automatically exhibited.

The above stated and various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and understandable as the following description proceeds, with reference made to the attached drawings showing, by way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a rental locker unit constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing, in detail, coin guide passage, movable saw plate and the like of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing, in detail, lock piece, lock lever, stop plate, push-up plate, and the like of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the push-up plate placed at various positions, of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 shows locus of the push-up plate shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing connections of the switches used in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, one terminal 1 of a power source E is connected to a switch 2 through a capacitor 28a, said switch 2 being operated by the drop of a coin into a coin inlet. The switch 2 includes a normally open contact 3 which is connected to an electromagnet 7 via a normally closed contact 5 of a relay 4, the electromagnet 7 being connected to another terminal 6 of the power source E. Upon energization of this electromagnet, a shaft 8 shown schematically by chain line is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 by a known mechanism. In this case, the switch 2 is restored just after passing of one piece of the coin through the coin passage, so that the shaft 8 is rotated by one step per coin drop. The shaft 8 is operatively connected to an indication cam 14 adapted to exhibit a rental fee, asindicated by reference numeral 13, through a window 12 provided at a locking portion 11 for each compartment 10 of the overall locker unit 9. The shaft 8 isalso opera tively connected to a plurality of, two in this embodiment, control cams 15 and 16 which are adapted for selection of rental fees per unit length of time, as hereinafter described in greater detail.

Connected in series between the power source terminals l and 6 are a time switch 17 which is closed upon lapse of a predetermined unit length of time, a switch 18 operated by insertion and removal of a key into and out of the locking means of each compartment 10, a switch 20 operated upon operation of the locking means, and a relay 22. The switch 18 includes a normally open contact 19 which is opened while the key is inserted into the locking means, while the switch 20 1 includes a normally open contact 21 and a normally closed contact 23, said former contact 21 being opened while the locking means is unlocked and said latter contact 23 being closed while the locking means is unlocked. This normally closed contact 23 is connected to a normally open contact 25 of a switch 24 operated by insertion and removal of the key, said contact 25 being closed upon insertion of the key. The switch 24 also includes a normally open contact 26 which is opened while the key is inserted and which is connected to the power source terminal 1 via a resistance 27. On the other hand, the switch 24 is connected to the power source terminal 6 via a capacitor 28b.

A normally open contact 29 provided to the relay 22 is connected, on the one hand, to the power source terminal 1 and, on the other hand, to an electromagnet 30 through a movable contact piece 29a provided to the relay 22, said electromagnet 30 being adapted to impart counterclockwise rotation, as viewd in FIG. 2, to the aforesaid shaft 8. The electromagnet .30 is connected through a diode 31 to a normally open contact 32 provided to the relay 22, a movable contact 33 of 5 said relay 22 being connected to the power source terminal 6 via a capacitor 280. A normally closed contact 34 of the relay 22 also is connected to the power source terminal 6 via a resistor 35. The aforesaid electromagnet 30 is further connected to a switch 36 which is operated upon energizarion and deenergization of the for-' mer;

A plug 37 connected to the switch 36 is to be connected to a selected one of jacks 38, 39and 40. The jack 38 is connected to the power source terminal 6 via a switch 41 operated by the contact cam 15, whereas the jack 39 is connected to the same power source terminal via a switch 42 operated by the control cam 16. The contour of the control cam 15 has notches 43 on numeral and on every third of the other numerals marked successively thereupon in order to open the switch 41 at such notches. The contour of the control cam 16 also has notches 43 to open the switch 42 on numeral 0 and on every second of the other numerals similarly marked thereupon.

The aforesaid relay 4 is connected, on the one hand, to the power source terminal 1 and, on the other hand, to the power source terminal 6 via a switch 44 operated by the indication cam 14 having a notch 45 only on nu-.

meral 0 marked thereupon. Connected in parallel with the relay 4 is an electromagnet 47 which opens and closes the coin inlets 46 of the locking portions 11 and which also controls the operation of the locking means in accordance with the prior art. A test switch 48 may be connected in parallel with the switch 2.

If, in the locker system of the above described construction,-three coins are required to rent one of the compartments 10 for a unit length of time, the machine is adjusted so that when: the plug 37 is connected to the jack 38, the numeral 3 marked on the cam 14 is exhibited through the window 12. Since then the switch 44 is opened, the electromagnet 47 keeps the coin inlet 46 open and the locking means unoperable by known mechanisms. The normally closed contact of the relay 4 is kept closed. The door 49 of the compartment is then opened and the first coin dropped into the coin inlet 46, whereupon the normally open contact 3 of the switch 2 is closed to form the circuit including the switch 2, the normally closed contact 5 of the relay 4, and'the electromagnet 7. The thus-energized electromagnet 7 sets the shaft 8 in rotation, so that the cams 14, and 16 are turned clockwise through an angle corresponding to a spacing between two adjoining numerals marked thereupon. Thus the numeral 2 is exhibited through the window 12. Upon injection of the second coin, the numeral 1 is shown through the window 12 through the same procedure, and the numeral 0 is similarly shown upon injection of the third coin.

The switch 44 is nowclosed, whereas the switch 41 is opened. Upon closure of the switch 44, the electromagnet 47 is energized so that the coin inlet 46 is closed while the locking means of the compartment 10 is made lockable. Since the relay 4 is also energized by the closure of the switch 44, the normally closed contact 5 is opened. Articles to be stored are now put into the compartment 10, which is then locked with the key inserted into a keyhole 50. By this locking operation, the normally open contact 21,0f the switch 20 is closed. By the succeeding detachment of the key out of the keyhole 50, the normally open contact 19 of the switch 18 and the normally open contacti26 of the switch 24 are both closed. Hence, the circuit including the resistor 27, the switch 24, and the capacitor 28a is completed, whereby said capacitor is stored with electrical energy.

For unlocking the compartment 10 within the unit length of time, the key need be simply turned in the keyhole 50, then the numeral 0 is exhibited through the window 12. In this instance, upon insertionof thekey into the keyhole 50, the normally open contact 25 of the switch 24 is closed while the normally open contact 19 of the switch 18 is opened. By the succeeding turn of the key, the normally closed contact 23 of the switch 20 is closed, so that the circuit including the relay 22, the switches 20 and 24, and the capacitor 28a is completed. The electrical energy previously stored in the capacitor 28a is discharged to operate the relay 22 for several seconds.

By this temporary operation of the relay 22, the normally open contact 29 provided thereto is closed, as is the normally open contact 32. Hence, thecircuit including the normally open contact 29, the electromagnet 30, the diode 31, the normally open contact 32, and the capacitor 280 is completed. Since then the electromagnet30 is energized, the shaft 8 is rotated counterclockwise, and the switch 36 is opened. By the rotation of the shaft 8, the cams 14, 15 and 16 are turned, and

the switch 41 is closed by the cam 15. When the capacitor 280 is completely charged, the electromagnet 30is no longer energized, and the switch 36 is again closed.

Thereupon, the circuit including the normally ;open i contact 29, the electromagnet 30, the switch 36, the plug 37, the jack 38, and the switch 41 is completed. By such energization and de-energization of the electromagnet 30 and the resultant switching operation of the switch 36, the cam 15 is turned until the switch 41 is opened on the numeral 3 marked on thecam. The

electromagnet 30 is then de-energized, and the shaft8 is stopped.

Since the cam 14 also is turned by the rotation of the shaft 8, the numeral 3 marked thereupon is shown through the window 12.When this cam 14 has been turned from the position of the numeral 0, the switch 44 is opened, the electromagnet 47 is de-eriergized, and

the coin inlet 46 is opened. By simultaneous deenergization of the relay 4, the normally closed contact 5 is closed to make the locker compartment ready for further use.

In event the compartment 10 has been used in excess of the unit length of time, the time switch 17 is closed,

and the relay 22 is energized. The electromagnet 30.

also is energized through the procedure described in the.foregoing, so that the shaft 8 is rotated counterclockwise. The cams 14, 15 and 16 are turned until the cam 14 attains the condition illustrated in FIG. 2,

where the switch 44 is opened. By the de-energization I of the electromagnet 47, the coin inlet 46 is opened. The unlocking of the closed door 49 is now impossible by use of the key only. By succeedingly dropping the number of coins shown through the, window. 12, the electromagnet 7 operates to turn the cams 14, 15 and 16 counterclockwise through the procedure described 1 already, in such a manner that the numeral exhibited through the window 12 is decreased each time the coin is dropped. As the numeral 0 appears on the window, the switch 44 is closed, so that the electromagnet 47 is energized to close the coin inlet 46. The locker door can now be unlocked with the key.

When the compartment has been used twice the unit length of time, the time switch 17 operates to turn the cam 14 until the numeral 6 marked thereupon is shown through the window 12. The compartment is then unlockable unless six coins are dropped into its coin inlet 46. When the compartment has been unlocked with the key after dropping the required six coins and thus causing the numeral 0 to be exhibited through the window 12, the cam 14 is turned counterclockwise until the numeral 3 is shown. The compartment is now ready for further use.

The plug 37 is connected to the jack 39 in case two coins are needed for a unit length of time, and to the jack 40 in case one coin is needed. The operations of the rental locker system in these cases follow suit after the above described case in which three coins are needed for the unit length of time.

Although detailed structure of the mechanism of the abovementioned embodiment is not shown; said structure will be easily understood for the person skilled in the art from the detailed structure of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 8.

Referring to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the invention will be described hereinafter in connection with a practical structure adapted to a case where the locker is used by only one coin.

Referring to FIG. 3 showing a front view of a rental locker of non-used state, when one coin is put into a coin inlet 51, the coin is received in reception mouth 52 and then is sent into a coin selecting device 53 such as shown in FIG. 5. In this device 53, the received coin passes through a coin passage 54 and is sent into a coin drop path 55, said passage 54 being provided with a recessed aperture 57 adapted to drop a coin of a small diameter. If the coin is improper, it is dropped into an incorrect-coin dropping passage 56 provided under the passage 54.

I. Deposit operation by a depositary Upon putting of one correct coin M into the coin inlet 51, said coin is sent into the passage 55 and pushes an actuating lever 59 against the force of a spring 60, the end part of said lever 59 being projected into said passage 55 through an elongated hole 58, whereby said coin is dropped into a coin receiving box not shown and provided at the lower end of said passage 55.

The actuating lever 59 is fixed to a catch plate 61 fixed to a bracket 62 which in turn is pivoted at a pivotal shaft 63. The shaft 63 is pivotally supported by a support plate 64 which in turn is fixed to a machine frame 65, so that when the lever 59 is pushed by the coin M, the catch plate 61 is rocked around the shaft 63, whereby the engaged part 61a of the catch plate 61 is detached from a tooth 66a ofa movable saw plate 66, thus causing the plate 66 to drop. On the other hand, since a catch portion 61b of the catch plate 61 is advanced toward the movable saw plate 66 owing to said locking of the lever 59, the upper surface of the catch portion 61b is caused to engage with the other tooth 660 of the plate 66, and upon disengagement of the coin from the actuating lever 69, the catch plate 61 is restored to its original position by means of the spring 60, whereby a tooth 66b of the saw plate 66 is brought in engagement with the catch portion 61a of the catch plate 61. The provision of the catch portions 61a and 61b ensures that the teeth 66a, 66b are fed one by one in successive order during lowering of the saw plate 66.

When the tooth 66b is brought in engagement with the catch portion 61a, indication at a window of an indication plate 67 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) is shifted from 1 to 0. This indication-shift is carried out by downward movement of the movable saw plate 66, because said downward movement causes a push-up movement of the indication plate 67 through a lever 69 and a catch piece 69a fixed to the saw plate 66. Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the movable saw plate 66 is lowered, by one tooth pitch, a stop plate 72 having a catch piece 71 is locked by a catch plate fixed to said plate 66, whereby as clearly shown in FIG. 5, the stop plate 72 is retracted from a recess 73a of a lock lever 73 fixed to an inner cylinder which is fitted in a lock cylinder. When the retraction of the stop plate 72 is completed, a key 74 (FIG. 3) becomes rotatable. In this state, when the key 74 is turned, a lock piece 75 fixed to the inner cylinder is inserted together with the lock lever 73 into a recess 77 formed in a locker door 76, thus causing locking.

When this locking motion is caused by turning the key 74, as shown in FIG. 5, a switch SW is pushed through its lever 78a by means of a spring 78 which is fixed to the lock lever 73, thus causing detection of opening and closing of the key 74.

When the key'74 is drawn off by the depositary, a reciprocating bar 79 having been pushed by the key 74 is retracted toward the lock by the action of a spring not shown, thereby to operate a switch SW Referring to FIG. 6, as described later in connection with FIG. 8, a motor M is rotated by the action of the switches SW and SW whereby a switch SW is changed over by means of a pin 82 fixed to a rotary plate 81 which in turn is supported by the motor shaft 80, thus causing the motor M to stop. At this state, the pin 82 is transferred to chain line position from solid line position and stops at said former position because of stopping of the motor M A pin 84 attached to the other portion-of the rotary plate 81 is freely engaged in an elongated hole 86 of a push-up plate 85, and a pin 88 attached to the locker frame not shown is freely engaged in another elongated hole 87 provided at central portion of the push-up plate 85, so that upon completion of the movement of the pin 82 from the solid line position to the chain line position the plate is transferred from a first position (I) (solid line) to a second position (II) (chain line). At this position (II), the plate 85 is inserted into a recess 89 of the movable saw plate 66, whereby said plate 85 stops at said second position,

thus causing the plate 66 to stop and therefore producing a 0 indication on the indication window 68 (FIG. 3). In this state, if the length of time during which indication 0 is maintained is within a predetermined date hours of a use-unit adapted to advance a date, it is possible to open the door 76 by means of the key 74.

That is, when the key 74 is inserted, the reciprocating bar 79 is pushed thereby to operate the switch SW On the other hand, by rotation of the key 74 the lock lever 73 is rotated toward the position shown in FIG. 5, whereby the spring 78 attached to the lower end of said lock lever 73 and being in a state pushed on the lever 78a of the switch SW is retracted from said lever 78a, thus exchanging over the switch SW Furthermore, the

switch SW, shown in FIG. 6 is maintained at its exchanged state, because the pin 82 does not push the lever 83, so that the motor M is rotated again in the exchanged states of the switches SW SW, and SW.,, whereby the push plate 85 is elevated from the second position (II) to the third position (III) so as to push up the movable saw plate 66, thereby to shift the tooth 66a between the catch portions 61a and 61b, whereby the push-up plate' 85 is restored from the third position (III) to the first position (I) due to action of a spring 90 and retracts from the recess 89, thus causing engagement of the tooth 66a and catch portion 61a. Owing to these movements, the lever 69 is lowered due to selfweight of the indication plate 67, whereby the right side end of the lever 69 engages a catch piece 69a attached to a lower end of the movable saw plate 66. Then, the locker is maintained at this non-used state, in which the indication is shifted from 1 to 0. After lapse of the predetermined date hours of the use-unit, the motor M is rotated by means of a timer not shown, whereby the push-up plate 85 is moved from the position (II) to the position (I) through the position (III) thereby to push up the movable saw plate 66, thus exchanging the indication from O to 1.

Furthermore, in this use state, upon lapse of doubled date hours of the use-unit, the motor M operates in the same manner as mentioned above thereby to shift the indication from I to 2. When the depositary intends to release the locker, unlocked state can be easily obtained by putting in coins of a required number corresponding to the indication numeral into the coin inlet. FIG. 7 shows movable locus of the catch projection 85a of the push-up plate 85.

Referring to FIG. 8, electrical circuit of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 will be described in the following.

Each of date feeding controllers a,, a a a is connected to a date feeding timer motor M, timer of which is not shown, said controllers being provided at side portion of the locker door 76 as shown in FIG. 3. I. State in which the locker is not used The motors M, and M, are stopped and the switches SW,, SW SW, and SW, take the positions shown in FIG. 8.

II. State under use within a unit length of time corresponding to hours of a use-unit, for example, within 24 hours Locking operation When coins of a required number, in this example,

one coin is put into the inlet 51, the lock lever 73 is released and the key 74 is brought in rotatable state. At

this state, the indication is shifted from 1 to 0.

By turning the key, the switch SW is switched over from its contact Nc to another contact No, thereby to open the circuit of the switch SW Then, upon pulling-off the key, the switch SW is switched over from its contact Nc to another contact N0, whereby the circuit (E SW,c SW,Nc SW SW N0 SW.,Nc SW.,c M E) of the motor M is closed, thus causing rotation of the motor M Upon rotation of the motor M the pin 82 causes release of the lever 83 of the switch SW whereby the switch SW. is switched over from its contact Nc to another contact No and the motor M stops at the position (II) in FIG. 6. At this state, the indication corresponds to 0.

Unlocking operation When the key is put in, the switch SW is switched over from its contact No to another contact Ne and then when the key is turned, the switch SW is switched over from the contact No to Na and since the switch SW is in detached state from the pin 82, contact No of said switch SW, is in closed state. Accordingly, the cir- M, E) is closed, whereby the motor M is rotated and the indication is shifted from 0 to 1. At this state,

the lock lever 73 unified with the lock piece which is rotated by the key is locked at its opening state.

By the rotation of the motor M movable contact of the switch SW is pushed up by the pin 82, whereby the SW is switched over from the contact No to Nc and the motor M is stopped.

III. Date feeding is carried out when use-time exceeds a predetermined time length of the use-unit Locking operation is same as the above-mentioned item (II). After locking operation mentioned above,

the motor M, is operated by a timer which is not shown and common to the date feeding controllers a,, a

. a whereby the date feeding switch SW in operated.

By operation of the switch SW,, the motor M, is caused to rotate after lapse of a predetermined time length of I the use-unit, for example, after lapse 0 am. For example, let it be assumed that the controller a, is operated.

At this case, the timer operates in accordance with control of the controller 41,, thereby to rotate the motor M,. By this rotation of the motor M,, the switch SW,

is switched over from the contact Nc to the contact No. At the locking time, contacts SW c and SWgNO, SW 0 and SW N0, and SW.,c and SW.,N0 are, respectively closed, as described before. Accordingly, upon switchover of the switch SW, from SW,Nc to SW,N0, the circuit (E SW,c SW,N0 SW.,N0 SW.,c

M E) is closed, whereby the motor M is rotated until the time when the pin 82 pushes up the lever 83 of the switch SW., By this rotation of the motor M the indication is shifted from O to I and on the other hand, the switch SW is switched over from the contact No to the contact Nc, whereby the motor M is stopped. After stop of the motor M the switch SW is switched over from its contact No to another contact No by means of rotation of the motor M,. When the switch SW, is

switched over from the contact No to the contact Nc, the following circuit is established.

E SW, (c Nc) SW (c No) SW (Nc As a result, the switch SW is switched over from the contact Nc to the contact N0, whereby the motor M is stopped. Similarly, if a predetermined time length of the useunit from said switch-over of the switch SW, has lapsed, the indication is shifted froml to 2. The

switch SW, is stopping, as similar to case of switching from 0 to l, in the state where the switch SW is switched from the contact 0 to the contact N0. Unlocking operation When coins of a required number corresponding to I the indication are put into the coin inlet, the indication is shifted from 1 to 0, thus causing possibility of unlocking. The operation is same as that described in the above item (II).

In the above-mentioned example, it is assumed that ratio of the distance corresponding to one step lowering of the movable saw plate 66 and the distance corresponding to one step elevation of said plate 66 caused by one revolution of the motor M is taken as 1:1 in the case when one coin is put into the locker machine.

However, by changing the ratio mentioned above to,]

for instance, 1:2, use of one time can be made possible by putting two coins. Accordingly, the required number of coins to be put at a time can be varied by changing the ratio mentioned above.

Although the rental locker system of the present invention has been shown and described in the foregoing in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be easy for those in the art to device many modifications, substitutions, and changes thereof. The invention, therefore, is not intended to be restricted by the exact showings of the drawings and the description thereof but is considered to include other examples coming within the proper scope and fair meaning of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A rental locker system which is rendered lockable with a locker key after dropping an indicated required number of coins into a coin inlet slot of the system and unlockable with the same key during a' predetermined period of time thereafter, said system comprising:

locking means operatively responsive to the insertion of the locker key therein for locking and unlocking the system;

preventing means operatively associated with said locking means for preventing locking and unlocking thereof by the locker key;

electrically operable releasing means for releasing said preventing means and thus permitting locking and unlocking of said locking means; first cam means having a plurality of indicator marks for indicating at an indicating window of the system that mark of said plurality of marks chosen to represent the required number of coins which permit locking and unlocking of said locking means;

second cam means rotatably associated with said first cam means for positioning at least said that mark at the indicating window of the system;

first electric driving means operatively associated with said first and second cam means for simultaneous rotation thereof in a first direction;

first detecting means operatively responsive to the dropping of coins into the coin inlet slot of the system and for actuably causing said first electric driving means to correspondingly rotate said first and second cam means in said first direction whereby when the locker system in an unused state is to be engaged by a user successive ones of said indication marks are obtainable at the indicating window until a completion mark is obtained thereat indicating that no more coins are necessary whereupon said preventing means is released by said releasing means and said locking means may be locked; second electric driving means operatively associated with said first and second cam means for simultaneous rotation thereof in a second direction; locking and unlocking detecting switching means for detecting locking and unlocking movements of said locking means and operating to cause said second electric driving means to rotate said first and second cam means in said second direction whereby when a user of the system unlocks said locking means within said predetermined period of time said that mark reappears at the indication window; switching means responsive to the lapse of time and operatively associated with said locking and unlocking means and said'second electric driving means, wherebyv if the user of the system does not unlock said locking means within said predetermined period of time, said switching means actuably operates to cause said first and second cams to be rotated in-said second direction by said second electric drive means so that successive multiples of said that mark appear at the indicating window after the lapse of each further successive ones of said predetermined periods of time and said preventing means prevents unlocking of said locking means until the user deposits a number of coins in the coin inlet slot of the system represented by the final multiple mark reached in the indicating window.

2. A rental locker system of the type as claimed in claim 1, in which said locking detecting means and unlocking detecting means are, respectively, composed of a detection switch for detecting the turning of the key in said locking means and a detection switch for detecting insertion and withdrawal of the key.

3. A rental locker system which is rendered lockable with a locker key after dropping an indicated required amount of coins into a coin inlet slot of the system and unlockable with the same key during a predetermined period of time thereafter, which system comprises:

locking means operatively responsive to lock and unlock the system with the locker key;

preventing means operatively associated with said locking means for preventing unlocking and locking thereof with the locker key;

releasing means for releasing said preventing means and allowing thelocker key to lock and unlock the system;

indicator means having a plurality of indicator marks for indicating at an indicating window of the system that mark of said plurality of marks chosen to represent the required amount of coins necessary to be dropped in the slot to permit locking and unlocking of said locking means; I v

a saw-toothed plate means having a connecting lever connected to said indicator means for moving said indicator means in stepped movements so that successive ones of said indicator marks are obtainable at the indicating window;

coin detecting lever means for detecting the dropping of a coin into the inlet slot of the system and operating to cause successive ones of said stepped movements of said saw-toothed plate means in a first direction each time a dropped coin is detected thereby until a completion mark appears at the indicating window indicating that no more coins are necessary and said preventing means is released by said releasing means and the system is lockable;

detecting means for detecting locking and unlocking movements of said locking means; time-switching means operatively responsive to the lapse of time and operatively associated with said detecting means; electric driving means operatively associated with said detecting means and said time-switching means and having a member operably movable thereby and engag'eable with said saw-toothed plate means to move same in successive ones of said stepped movements in a second direction so" that when the locker system in an unused state is to be engaged by a user, the required amount of coins indicated by said that mark in the indicating window are dropped into the inlet slot of the sytem until said completion mark appears at the indicating window and the system is lockable by said locking means which is detected by said detecting means whereupon said electric driving means is ready for moving said member to engage said sawtoothed plate means, and if the system is unlocked within said predetermined period of time, said detecting means detects such a movement and said electric driving means operates to cause said membar to move said saw-tooth plate means in said second direction until said that mark reappears at the indication window and the system is ready for use by a further user thereof, but should the system not be unlocked within said predetermined peri odof time, said time-switching means actuably operates means prevents unlocking of said locking means until the user deposits an amount of coins in ther coin inlet slot of the system represented by the final 1 multiple mark attained in the indicating window.

a l i 

1. A rental locker system which is rendered lockable with a locker key after dropping an indicated required number of coins into a coin inlet slot of the system and unlockable with the same key during a predetermined period of time thereafter, said system comprising: locking means operatively responsive to the insertion of the locker key therein for locking and unlocking the system; preventing means operatively associated with said locking means for preventing locking and unlocking thereof by the locker key; electrically operable releasing means for releasing said preventing means and thus permitting locking and unlocking of said locking means; first cam means having a plurality of indicator marks for indicating at an indicating window of the system that mark of said plurality of marks chosen to represent the required number of coins which permit locking and unlocking of said locking means; second cam means rotatably associAted with said first cam means for positioning at least said that mark at the indicating window of the system; first electric driving means operatively associated with said first and second cam means for simultaneous rotation thereof in a first direction; first detecting means operatively responsive to the dropping of coins into the coin inlet slot of the system and for actuably causing said first electric driving means to correspondingly rotate said first and second cam means in said first direction whereby when the locker system in an unused state is to be engaged by a user successive ones of said indication marks are obtainable at the indicating window until a completion mark is obtained thereat indicating that no more coins are necessary whereupon said preventing means is released by said releasing means and said locking means may be locked; second electric driving means operatively associated with said first and second cam means for simultaneous rotation thereof in a second direction; locking and unlocking detecting switching means for detecting locking and unlocking movements of said locking means and operating to cause said second electric driving means to rotate said first and second cam means in said second direction whereby when a user of the system unlocks said locking means within said predetermined period of time said that mark reappears at the indication window; switching means responsive to the lapse of time and operatively associated with said locking and unlocking means and said second electric driving means, whereby if the user of the system does not unlock said locking means within said predetermined period of time, said switching means actuably operates to cause said first and second cams to be rotated in said second direction by said second electric drive means so that successive multiples of said that mark appear at the indicating window after the lapse of each further successive ones of said predetermined periods of time and said preventing means prevents unlocking of said locking means until the user deposits a number of coins in the coin inlet slot of the system represented by the final multiple mark reached in the indicating window.
 2. A rental locker system of the type as claimed in claim 1, in which said locking detecting means and unlocking detecting means are, respectively, composed of a detection switch for detecting the turning of the key in said locking means and a detection switch for detecting insertion and withdrawal of the key.
 3. A rental locker system which is rendered lockable with a locker key after dropping an indicated required amount of coins into a coin inlet slot of the system and unlockable with the same key during a predetermined period of time thereafter, which system comprises: locking means operatively responsive to lock and unlock the system with the locker key; preventing means operatively associated with said locking means for preventing unlocking and locking thereof with the locker key; releasing means for releasing said preventing means and allowing the locker key to lock and unlock the system; indicator means having a plurality of indicator marks for indicating at an indicating window of the system that mark of said plurality of marks chosen to represent the required amount of coins necessary to be dropped in the slot to permit locking and unlocking of said locking means; a saw-toothed plate means having a connecting lever connected to said indicator means for moving said indicator means in stepped movements so that successive ones of said indicator marks are obtainable at the indicating window; coin detecting lever means for detecting the dropping of a coin into the inlet slot of the system and operating to cause successive ones of said stepped movements of said saw-toothed plate means in a first direction each time a dropped coin is detected thereby until a completion mark appears at the indicating window indicating that no more coins are necessary aNd said preventing means is released by said releasing means and the system is lockable; detecting means for detecting locking and unlocking movements of said locking means; time-switching means operatively responsive to the lapse of time and operatively associated with said detecting means; electric driving means operatively associated with said detecting means and said time-switching means and having a member operably movable thereby and engageable with said saw-toothed plate means to move same in successive ones of said stepped movements in a second direction so that when the locker system in an unused state is to be engaged by a user, the required amount of coins indicated by said that mark in the indicating window are dropped into the inlet slot of the sytem until said completion mark appears at the indicating window and the system is lockable by said locking means which is detected by said detecting means whereupon said electric driving means is ready for moving said member to engage said saw-toothed plate means, and if the system is unlocked within said predetermined period of time, said detecting means detects such a movement and said electric driving means operates to cause said member to move said saw-tooth plate means in said second direction until said that mark reappears at the indication window and the system is ready for use by a further user thereof, but should the system not be unlocked within said predetermined period of time, said time-switching means actuably operates said electric driving means to cause said member to move said saw-tooth plate means in said second direction so that successive multiples of said that mark appear at the indicating window after the lapse of each further successive ones of said predetermined periods of time and said preventing means prevents unlocking of said locking means until the user deposits an amount of coins in the coin inlet slot of the system represented by the final multiple mark attained in the indicating window. 